Linotype-machine.



.35 ing-pot forming "U ITED STATE ATENT OFFICE.

LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LINOTYP Ei- MACl-IIN E.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No.

723,073, dated March 17, 1903.

Application filed December 18, 19b2. Serial No. 135.739. (No model).

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatl, JOHN S. THOMPSON, of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Linotype-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to linotype and analogous machines wherein molten metal is delivered at intervals by a pump or forcing [O mechanism into a mold againsta line of mat-' rices to produce printing bars or slugs. It is intended more particularly for use in connection with the well-known Mergenthaler lino type-machine, represented in its essential fea- [5 tures in Letters Patent of the United States Nos. 436,532 and 557,000. In order tosecu re the most advantageous action of these machines, itis desirable that the pot of molten metal shall be maintained at a substantially? 2o uniform level in the melting-pot. As the rate of consumption is widely variable, according.

to the speed of the machine and to thesize.

of the slugs or linotype produced, it is found difflcult to maintain the desired level unless a special attendant is charged with the labor of supplying additional metal to the pot or unless the operator performs this labor, which results in a material decrease in the output of the machine.

go The aim of my invention is to maintain the required level in the ordinary melting-pot by supplying thereto molten metal at such time and in such quantity as may be required. To this end I combine with the ordinary meltpart of the machine a sup plemental pot or retort adapted to carry a large supply of solid metal and provided with gas heating appliances whereby the metal may be gradually or progressively melted and o permitted to run into the main pot, the ac' tion of the supplemental inelting'devices being controlled by a float resting on the molten metal in the main pot, so that the height of the metal in the main pot controls the delivcry of additional metal thereto.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of my improved mechanism. Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the supplemental burner or heater. Fig. 3 is a view of a detail. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the bottom of the supplemental pot.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the m elting-pot of an ordinary ll/Iergenthalerlinotype-machine. which may be heated,-asusual, by-one or more burners thereunder to keep the contained metal I; in a molten condition. This pot is provided with the usual plunger 0 for delivering metal therefrom into the mold of the machine in the ordinary manner.

All the foregoing parts may be constructed as usual, and they constitute no part of my invention.

D represents a supplemental pot or chamber, which may he of any appropriate form and construction, located above the main pot. This supplemental pot is intended to hold a large supply 'of solid type-metal in blocks or pigs, and its bottom is formed, as shown in Fig. 4, of heavy wire-gauze or perforated or otherwise formed to permit-the escape of its contents when melted, At the lower side of this supplemental pot I arrange an annular gas-burner E, having on its inner side a series of openings through which the gas may escape and the flames be projected upward against the metal in the pot for the purpose of melting or fusing the same gradually, that it may fall into the pot below. The burner E is supplied with gas through a pipe F, provided with a controlling-cock G, the arm of which is jointed to the upper end of a rod I-I, extending downward through a suitable guide and connected by a link I with the shank of a hollow metal float J, which rests on the surface of the molten metal in the main pot. The float J rises and falls with" the surface of the metal in the main pot. Wheneverthe metal falls below the proper level, the falling float opens the gas-valve and increases the action of the flames on the solid metal in 0 the supplemental pot, the effect being to melt the same with increased speed and cause its flow intoflthe main pot until the metal therein rises to the required level. During this rise the float gradually closes the valve, lessens 5 the flame, and diminishes the feed of metal from one pot to the other. I find that the best action of the parts is secured when the gas-valve is moved quickly and held in one position or another. controller-rod H with notches h. and mount in the guide to the rod a spring-actuated slide To this end I provide a too" K to enter the notches. The link I, connecting the float with the rod, may be elastic. When the metal rises, the valve being open will so remain until the lifting effect is sufficient to overcome the resistance of the slide K, whereupon the float will act to suddenly close the valve. A similar but reverse operation occurs as't-he float sinks. The link allows the pot to swing to and fro, as usual;

It should be understood that the essence of my invention resides in utilizing the rise and fall of the metal in the main pot to control the melting of the metal in a supplemental pot from which it is delivered to the other,

and the controlling devices may be modified in form and arrangement at will, provided they have essentially the mode of action above indicated. The form of the supplemental pot and its burner, their location and relation to the main potgand other details may be moditied at will within the limits of mechanical skill.

It will be observed that in myorganization the first or supplemental pot is heated independently of the main pot, which latter is heated in the usual manner. It is also to be noted that my invention contemplates the maintenance of a large body of molten metal in the main pot and the controlled delivery thereto of molten metal from a supplemental pot in which the store or reserve of metal remains in a solid state.

7 Having thus described my invention, what I claim is.

1. In a linotype-machine, the combination of the main pot, a supplemental pot feeding thereto, means for melting the metal in the supplemental pot and means controlled by the rise and fall of'the metal in the main pot for governing the melting action in the supplemental pot.

2. In a linotype-machine, the combination of a main pot A, a secondary pot D, a gasburner cooperating therewith to melt its contents, a valve controlling the flow of gas to the burner and a valve-controlling float mounted in the main pot. I

3. In a linotype-machine and in combination with the usual main melting-pot, a supplemental pot provided with a bottom opening, an adjacent burner independent of the means for heating the main pot, and means actuated by the level of the liquid in said pot controllingthe action of said burner, whereby a store of solid metal in the supplemental pot may be gradually and controllably melted and delivered to the main pot to maintain the level of the molten metal therein.

4. In a linotype-machine, a pot or chamber to hold solid type-metal, with a perforated bottom to permit the escape of the metal as it is melted at the base, in combination with a gas-burner arranged to deliver its flame directly on the metal at the base, and means for automatically controlling the action of the burner, substantially as described,whereby the metal is melted and released from the bottom of the mass at greater or less speed as demanded.

5. In a linotype-machine, in combination with the main melting-pot, a supplemental melting-pot, a burner cooperating with the latter, a valve controlling the burner, an actuating-float in the main pot, a spring connection between the float and the valve, and devices for locking the valve in diiferent po sitions.

6. In a linotypamachine and in combination with the-main melting-pot as usual, a supplemental pot or vessel adapted to hold pigs of type-metal, provided with a bottom outlet, an independent gas-burner located at the bottom of said vessel, and means actuated by the level of the liquid in said pot for controlling the action of said burner, whereby the solid metal in the supplemental pot may be progressively and controllably melted'and delivered from the bottom of the solid mass to the main pot.

7. In a linotype-machine, the main pot, a supplemental pot arranged to deliver thereto, an independent burner for heating the sup plemental pot, a valve controlling the action of said burner, a valve-operating float located in the main pot, and a yielding device resisting the rise and fall of the float.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 13th day of December, 1902, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

JOHN S. THOMPSON.

\Vitnesses:

HARRY SMITH, A JULIUS MELTON. 

